Randburg martial arts legend bags gold at national championship

In a triumphant close to 2024, Randburg martial arts legend Master Gregory Hart defended his national champion status winning two gold medals at the National Championships.

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He then immediately went to the United Kingdom Invitational Championship where he brought international glory to South Africa before a packed auditorium at the climax of Europe’s biggest tang soo do championship, held in Wales.

In a dynamic tour, Hart was among thousands of contestants from different countries. He claimed the coveted gold medal in points sparring, as well as the bronze in the 35 plus master’s division, ensuring South Africa remains a dominant force in world tang soo do.

Also read: Randpark Ridge karate girl gets a 4th Dan in Japan

From Wales, Hart travelled to Scotland to finalize South Africa’s participation in the Scottish World Championships in August 2025. Hart is now committed to a major fundraising effort to bring the SA team to Scotland, and to returning to pre-COVID levels of success.

This is the second historic hat-trick by Hart, in a spectacular career spanning 30 years as SA’s top tang soo do sportsman, coach, and international referee.

Hart is now a seventh dan tang soo do, giving him the grand master ranking, and second dan haedong kumdo, a Korean sword martial art. He trains students at Alchemy Dojang, Cresta, and coaches the Wits martial arts team. Both teams have won international recognition, winning competitions, and producing individual world champions in all categories. He also served as general secretary of the Martial Arts Association of South Africa (MAASA) for 14 years.

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